Brush for applying a composition to the eyelashes and/or the eyebrows

ABSTRACT

A brush for applying a composition to eyelashes or eyebrows, the brush including: a core that is made by molding and that extends along a longitudinal axis; and a plurality of rows of bristles that are also made by molding, including bases that are distributed over a periphery of the core, the bristles being disposed so that there exists at least one projection axis orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the core for which the projected images of the bristles of a first row cross the projected images of the bristles of a second row.

The present invention relates to brushes for applying a composition tothe eyelashes and the eyebrows, and also to packaging and applicatordevices including such a brush.

The invention relates more particularly to a brush comprising rows ofbristles that are made by being molded integrally with a core, suchbrushes sometimes also being known as “combs” or “injection-moldedbrushes”.

Application EP 1 175 847 A1 describes an applicator comprising anarrangement of bristles that are fitted on a non-twisted support, thearrangement comprising groups of bristles that cross when the applicatoris observed transversally to its longitudinal axis. As a result of thebristles being fitted on the core, it is difficult to provide them otherthan on one side only of the core, or on two opposite sides. Thus, suchan applicator does not look or behave like conventional mascara brusheshaving rows of bristles that are distributed all around the core.

EP 1 543 741 and EP 1 726 234 disclose molded applicators havingbristles on one side of a support, the bristles extending towards thedistal end and towards the proximal end of the applicator.

Application EP 1 611 817 A1 discloses a molded applicator chat, in oneparticular embodiment, has bristles of a row that extend alternatinglytowards the distal end and towards the proximal end of the applicator.

Application EP 1 070 467 A2 discloses combs having bristles that crosswhen the combs are observed from the side.

There exists a need to further improve a brush for applying acomposition to the eyelashes or the eyebrows. According to embodimentsof the present disclosure a brush comprising: a core that is made bymolding and that extends along a longitudinal axis; and a plurality ofrows of bristles that are also made by molding, having bases that aredistributed over the periphery of the core so as to offer novelpossibilities for applying makeup, and in particular so as to make itpossible to control the flexibility of the bristles during application,and also while passing through the wiper member, if one exists, isprovided.

In exemplary embodiments of the invention, the bristles are disposed sothat there exists at least one projection axis orthogonal to thelongitudinal axis of the core for which the projected images of thebristles of a first row cross the projected images of the bristles of asecond row. In other words, when the brush is observed from the side,perpendicularly to its longitudinal axis, the bristles of the first rowappear to cross the bristles of the second row. Two bristles for which acrossing is observed may have respective longitudinal axes that arenever parallel. The bristles need not touch one another. The offsetbetween the free ends of the two bristles may lie in the range 0.1millimeters (mm) to 5 mm, e.g. in the range 0.2 mm to 0.8 mm, inparticular in the range 3 mm to 4 mm. Bristles that are sufficientlyclose together enable said bristles to make contact with the eyelashsimultaneously during application.

By way of example, the first and second rows are adjacent without anintermediate row between them.

By way of example, the number of first rows is greater than or equal tothree, e.g. equal to 4, 5, 6, 7, or 8. The distribution of the firstrows all around the core may optionally be regular. The bristles of atleast three, or even four, first rows may extend in different directionsaround the longitudinal axis of the core.

The shortest distance between two first rows, measured around thelongitudinal axis of the core, at the surface of the core, lies in therange 0 to 3 mm, for example, the distance being measured between thebases of the teeth.

For each of the first rows, there may exist at least one second rowmaking it possible to observe, in side view, a crossing of the bristles,as defined above.

When the number of first rows is greater than or equal to four, theymay, in cross-section, extend into at least each of the four quadrantsaround the longitudinal axis of the core.

The brush may comprise at least five rows of teeth. The teeth may extendin at least 3, 4, 5, 6 or 7 different directions around the longitudinalaxis of the core. Each tooth may have a base, the bases of the teethbeing distributed all around the core. At least 4, 5 or 6 bases may bepresent in a cutaway view taken perpendicularly to the longitudinal axisof the core.

A brush of the invention presents numerous advantages. Initially, theslope of the bristles imparts flexibility thereto during application,and also while passing through the wiper member, in embodiments soprovided. The flexibility may be adjusted easily during manufacture bysloping the bristles to a greater or lesser extent.

Then, when the brush is observed from the side, the crossing of thebristles defines spaces that are suitable for receiving the eyelashesduring application. The spaces may have a V-notch that is favorable tocatching the eyelashes, and to smoothing the composition over theeyelashes. The slope of the bristles may promote the accumulation ofcomposition between the bristles and the core, which may improve theperformance of the brush in terms of loading the eyelashes withcomposition. The fact that a bristle slopes may also encouragecomposition to accumulate on a side facing away from the core. Such anaccumulation may enable the eyelashes that come into contact therewithto be well loaded.

The bristles may not be touching each other. This feature enables thebristles to take up the eyelashes between a bristle and the core orbetween two bristles, in order to treat them.

In the invention, the bristles are such that a eyelash may be taken upunder a bristle, i.e. between a bristle and the core.

The contact of the brush with the eyelashes may be gentle and withoutpinching, the sloping of the bristles imparting cushioning propertiesthereto.

The invention reduces the number of brushes to be made having differentconfigurations.

The sloping of the bristles may also alter the distribution of the freeends of the bristles at the surface of the brush, e.g. so as to obtain adensity of free ends that is higher at the front of the brush (thedistal end) than at the rear (the proximal end).

The bristles of a single row may be identical along the row or they mayvary in size, e.g. diameter, and/or length defined between the base andthe distal end of the bristles; slope; shapes; and/or spacing. The basesof the bristles of a single row may optionally be in alignment. Thevariation in the slope may be longitudinal, i.e. may relate to the anglerelative to the longitudinal axis, and/or it may be lateral, i.e. mayrelate to the angle relative to the normal to the core in a plane thatis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

The bristles may be rectilinear, or in a variant may be curved. Abristle may be curved in two axis, i.e. around two axis of curvaturewhich are not parallel to each other. A bristle may also be twisted.

The rows may comprise double bristles, or even triple bristles orquadruple bristles.

The core may have a cross-section that is constant along the brush, orit may vary. Variation in the cross-section of the envelope surface ofthe brush, along said brush, may be due to a variation in the section ofthe core, the length of the bristles being constant, for example.

At least a fraction of the bristles of the first row may present slopesrelative to the longitudinal axis of the core that vary along the firstrow. For example, slope relative to the longitudinal axis of the coremay increase progressively and then decrease, while going from onelongitudinal end of the core to the other. The slopes may possibly bereversed. Varying slopes make it possible to take account of the factthat users may favor using certain portions of the brush to treat theeyelashes at the corner of the eye, for example. This may also enablethe bristles to be made more flexible where the stresses during wipingare smaller, or on the contrary greater, depending on the desiredresult.

For example, it may be advantageous to have bristles that slope moresteeply towards the distal end of the brush, on going towards the distalend of the brush, since that makes it easier to use the brush with itslongitudinal axis oriented substantially perpendicularly to the set ofeyelashes, which may be desirable for treating the eyelashes at thecorner of the eye.

When the slopes of the bristles of a first row vary, the heights ofbristles of the second row at which the cross-over with the bristles ofthe first row can be seen may also vary, the bristles of the second rowbeing shorter where they cross the bristles that slope more steeply, forexample. That makes it possible to avoid the bristles of the second rowprojecting too much relative to the bristles of the first row, if theyare not sloping, or slope only a little. That makes it possible to avoidthe bristles of the second row unduly hindering gentle application.

Similarly, at least a fraction of the bristles of the second row maypresent slopes relative to the longitudinal axis of the core that varyalong the second row. Varying slopes make it possible to have differentapplication properties at different locations of the brush. Thus, thebristles of both the first and second rows may present varying slopesalong their respective rows. In a variant, the slopes of the bristles ofonly one row vary, the bristles of the other row all having the sameslope, e.g. perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the core.

Two consecutive bristles within a single row along the core may presentdifferent slopes relative to the longitudinal axis of the core. In avariant, slope may vary in stages, e.g. with a first group of bristleshaving the same slope relative to the longitudinal axis of the core,adjacent to a second group of bristles of the same row having a slopethat is different than the slope of the first group. By way of example,the first group extends over more than one fourth, or even one third, ofthe length of the row, measured between the extreme bristles of the row.

At least a fraction of the bristles of the first row may present a sloperelative to the longitudinal axis of the core that does not vary alongthe first row.

At least a fraction of the bristles of the second row may present aslope relative to the longitudinal axis of the core that does not varyalong the second row.

At least a fraction of the bristles of the first or second row may beperpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the core. By way of example,the perpendicular bristles may be situated between sloping bristles ofthe row, along the longitudinal axis.

By way of example, the perpendicular bristles may be situatedsubstantially mid-way along the brush, e.g. between the first quarterand the last quarter, lengthwise along the longitudinal axis.

In exemplary embodiments, the brush includes a plurality of first rowshaving bristles that slope, and a plurality of second rows associatedwith the first rows and having bristles that are perpendicular to thelongitudinal axis. When a second row is said to be “associated” with afirst row, it should be understood to mean that the second row hasbristles that cross the bristles of the first row, when the brush isobserved from the side.

The cross-over of two bristles may occur between two bristles havingopposite orientations.

At least a fraction of the bristles of the first and second rows maypresent a slope relative to the normal to the longitudinal axis of thecore that is greater than 20°, better greater than 30°, or even greaterthan 40°, 50°, or 50°. A relatively steep slope may impart relativelyhigh flexibility to the bristle, in particular when a force that isoriented perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of the core is exertedon the bristle, e.g. while passing through the wiper member. By way ofexample, the slope may lie in the range 1° to 80°, or even in the range2° to 60°, or in the range 3° to 30°, all of said ranges including theirlimits.

The projected image of at least one bristle of the first row may crossthe projected image of two bristles of the second row. A relativelysteep slope of the bristles may make it easier to observe, in side view,the crossing of a bristle of one row with a plurality of bristles ofanother row.

The projected image of at least one bristle of the first row may bedisposed symmetrically relative to the projected image of a bristle ofthe second row that it crosses, about a plane of symmetry that isperpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the core. Alternatively, thedisposition may not be symmetrical, e.g. because of different slopes ofthe bristles that cross, relative to the normal to the longitudinal axisof the core.

The rows may extend parallel to the longitudinal axis of the core, e.g.in a rectilinear manner, or may follow a helical path along thelongitudinal axis of the core, over more or less than 360° around thelongitudinal axis of the core.

The bristles of a first row and of an associated second row may extendparallel to a common radial plane.

The bristles of a first row and of a second row may also extend alongrespective planes that form an angle between them, the respective planesbeing disposed, e.g. symmetrically about a radial mid plane for the tworows, for example.

The bristles of a first row may extend in a common radial plane, and thebristles of the associated second row may be parallel to another planethat forms an angle with the radial plane, the other plane notnecessarily being radial and not necessarily containing the longitudinalaxis of the core. By way of example, all of the planes containing thebristles of the second rows are oriented in the same circumferentialdirection around the longitudinal axis of the core.

At least a fraction of the bristles of the first row may have anorientation that is opposite to the orientation of at least a fractionof the bristles of the second row. For example, the first row mayinclude bristles that are oriented towards the distal end of the brush,while the second row includes bristles that are oriented towards theproximal end of the brush.

The first row may include bristles that do not cross any bristle of thesecond row, when the brush is observed from the side. In a variant, eachof the bristles of the first row cross at least one bristle of thesecond row.

The projected image of at least one bristle of the first row may crossthe projected image of a bristle of the second row at a cross-over pointthat is situated in the top half of the bristles, for example.

By way of example, the real minimum offset between two bristles havingprojected images that cross may be less than 1 mm, e.g. being measuredat the bases of the bristles or at their free ends, or elsewhere. Thebristles having projected images that cross need never touch, or, in avariant, they may touch, e.g. at their bases.

By way of example, the brush may be such that any one of the rows ofbristles of the brush may constitute a first row as defined above. Byway of example, the first rows are projected images of one another inrotation about the longitudinal axis of the brush, e.g. by turningthrough 360°/m, where m is an integer that is greater than or equal to3, for example. The same may apply for the second rows.

The spacing between a bristle of a first row and an adjacent bristle ofa second row may lie in the range 0 to 5 mm, or may be non-zero. Thelength of the bristles may lie in the range 0.5 mm to 10 mm. The lengthof a row may lie in the range 5 mm to 35 mm. The number of bristles perrow may lie in the range 5 to 200.

The term “row of bristles” should be understood to mean a succession ofbristles along the longitudinal axis of the row. Within the row, thebristles may present bases that are in alignment along the longitudinalaxis of the row, the bases intersecting the longitudinal axis, e.g. attheir centers or at different locations from one bristle to another, thelongitudinal axis possibly being rectilinear or curved. Within the row,the bristle bases may also be disposed in a staggered configuration,i.e. alternately on either side of the longitudinal axis of the row,being optionally tangential to the longitudinal axis. The row mayinclude double bristles, i.e. each comprising two spikes that extend indifferent directions when the bristle is observed in a plane that isperpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the brush. The bases of thespikes of a double bristle are situated at a common abscissa along thelongitudinal axis of the brush and/or are touching. The long directionsof the spikes of a double bristle may be contained in a single planethat is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the core.

The first row may have the bases of its bristles touching the bases ofthe bristles of the second row.

The first row may have the bases of its bristles in alignment with thebases of the bristles of the second row. In a variant, the bases of thebristles of the first row are not in alignment with the bases of thebristles of the second row. The longitudinal axes of the first andsecond rows may coincide when the bases of the bristles of the first andsecond rows are in alignment.

The longitudinal axes of the first and second rows may be parallel whenthe first row does not have bristles having bases that are in alignmentwith bases of bristles of the second row.

In certain exemplary embodiments, none of the rows may have doublebristles, and all of the rows may have respective longitudinal axes thatare distinct.

In other exemplary embodiments, the brush includes double bristles, oreven rows of double bristles.

In still other variants, the brush includes only pairs of first andsecond rows having bases that are in alignment along a commonlongitudinal axis, the pairs of rows being distributed over theperiphery of the brush.

The invention can be better understood on reading the following detaileddescription of non-limiting embodiments thereof, and on examining theaccompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic view in elevation, and partially inlongitudinal section, showing a packaging and applicator device of theinvention;

FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic cross-section on II-II of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 shows a detail of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an orthogonal projection as seen looking along arrow IV ofFIG. 3;

FIGS. 5A to 5F are views similar to FIG. 4 of variant embodiments of thebrush;

FIGS. 6A and 6B show two examples of cross-over configurations of thebristles of the first and second rows;

FIGS. 7A to 7D are examples of bristle cross-sections;

FIGS. 8A to 8E are cross-sections showing possible shapes of envelopesurface of the brush;

FIGS. 9A to 9D are longitudinal sections of examples of shapes ofenvelope surface of the brush;

FIG. 10 is a side view showing an example of a brush in a variantembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 11 shows a variant embodiment of the brush;

FIGS. 12 and 13 show another variant embodiment of the brush, with FIG.13 being a side view as seen looking along XIII of FIG. 12;

FIGS. 14 to 16 are longitudinal sections of variant brushes;

FIG. 17 is a variant packaging and applicator device;

FIG. 18 shows a particular way of molding the bristles;

FIG. 19 shows a helical disposition of the bristles of a row;

FIG. 20 is a diagram showing two double rows of bristles;

FIG. 21 shows two rows of bristles having bases that are in alignment;

FIG. 22 shows a row of double bristles;

FIG. 23 is a section on XXIII-XXIII of FIG. 22; and

FIGS. 24A to 24C show various dispositions of bristles relative to thecore.

FIG. 1 shows an example of a device 1 for applying a cosmeticcomposition. As shown, the device 1 comprises a container 3 containingthe cosmetic composition P for application, and an applicator 2comprising a stem 7, e.g. of circular cross-section, that is provided atits distal end with a brush 8, and that is connected at its proximal endto a handle 5 that also constitutes a closure can for closing thecontainer 2.

As can be seen in FIG. 1, the container 2 includes a wiper member 6,e.g. constituted by a piece that is made of elastomer and that isinserted into the neck 4 of the container. The wiper member 6 mayoptionally be conventional, or it may even be adjustable.

The wiper member may be as described in patent applications or U.S. Pat.Nos. 2005/0028834, 2005/0175394, 2004/0258453, 6,375,374, 6,328,495,7,455,468, for example.

The invention is not limited to an applicator that is fitted on acontainer so as to close it.

The stem 7 to which the brush 8 is fastened may be flexible, at least inpart, and in particular entirely, in particular in the proximity of thebrush 8.

The brush 8 comprises a core 10 and rows of bristle's that are supportedby the core 10.

The rows comprise first rows 11 and second rows 12, the rows 11 and 12extend over the entire periphery of the core 10, as can be seen in FIG.2. The term “extend over the entire periphery” should be understood tomean that there is no bristle-free zone of the brush of angular extentof more than 180°, better none of more than 150°, better still none ofmore than 120°, about the longitudinal axis of the core when the brushis observed along its longitudinal axis. By way of example, the rows 11and 12 are angularly distributed uniformly around the longitudinal axisof the core 10, e.g. with a smaller angular spacing between a first row11 and the associated second row 12 than between two consecutive firstrows. By way of example, the first and second rows alternate in thecircumferential direction.

By way of example, the bases 21 e of the bristles 21 of the first rows11 are disposed along lines that are distributed uniformly around thelongitudinal axis X of the applicator member 8, as shown in FIG. 2. Thebristles 22 of the second rows 12 may also be disposed along lines thatare distributed uniformly around the longitudinal axis X, as shown inthe same figure.

Each first row 11 may include a succession of bristles 21 having bases21 e that are in alignment along the axis of that row, and thelongitudinal axes V of the bristles 21 of a first row 11 may becontained in a common plane containing the axis X, e.g. a plan P₁ thatextends radially, as in the embodiment in FIG. 2.

The longitudinal axes W of the bristles of the second rows 12 may, foreach second row 12, be contained in a corresponding plane P₂ that formsa non-zero angle α with the associated plane P₁.

Where appropriate, the brush 8 may present axial symmetry of axis X, orat least one plane of symmetry. The brush 8 need not have any symmetry.

The bristles of the first and second rows 11 and 12 are disposed in sucha manner that when the applicator member 8 is observed from the side, ina direction that is perpendicular to the axis X, the projected images ofthe bristles of the rows, projected along a projection direction that isperpendicular to the axis X, cross, as shown in FIG. 4. Such cross-overmay be observed covering a greater or smaller fraction of the length ofthe brush, e.g. over its entire length. When the brush presents a curvedlongitudinal axis contained in a plane, the cross-over may be observedin a projection direction that is perpendicular to the plane, forexample.

In the embodiment in FIG. 4, The longitudinal axes V of the bristles 21of the first row 11 are perpendicular locally to the axis X, and thelongitudinal axes W of the bristles 22 of the second row 12 adjacent tothe first 11 form a non-zero angle β locally with the core.

Thus, when the applicator member 8 is observed from the side, thebristles 21 of the first row 11 cross the bristles 22 of the second row12, thereby making it possible to form spaces 30 between the bristles,e.g. V-shaped spaces that open to the outside of the brush, the spaces30 being capable of participating in applying the composition and/or incombing the eyelashes.

The spacing between the bristles 21 of a first row 11, measured at thebase of the bristles, may be constant along the row, e.g. from onelongitudinal end of the brush to the other. In a variant, the spacingmay vary along the row.

The same applies for the bristles 22 of the second row 12, having aspacing e between the bases that may be constant along the row or thatmay vary.

By way of example, it is possible to have the same spacing e₁ betweenall of the bristles of the first row 11, and the same spacing e₂ betweenall of the bristles 22 of the second row 12, the bases of the bristles21 being axially offset relative to the bases of the bristles 22 forexample, so that the projected images of the bristles cross. e₁ and e₂may optionally be equal. The bristles of all of the first rows 11 mayhave the same spacing e₁. The same may apply for all of the second rows.

The slopes of the bristles 21 of each first row 11 may be constant forall of the bristles of that row, or may vary along that row. Thebristles of all of the first rows may have the same slope. In a variant,the slopes of the bristles of a first row may differ from the slopes ofan adjacent first row, moving around the longitudinal axis of the brush.

In addition, the slopes of the bristles 22 of each second row 12 may beconstant along that row, or may vary along that row, and may optionallyvary from one second row to another.

For example, it is possible to have bristles 21 of the first rows 11that extend locally substantially perpendicularly to the core, as shownin FIG. 4, and bristles 22 of the second rows 12 that are all orientedtowards the proximal end 8 b of the applicator member 8, or that are alloriented towards the distal end 8 a of the applicator member, or, stillin a variant, that present orientations that vary, both with bristlesthat are oriented towards the proximal end 8 b, and with bristles thatare oriented towards the distal end 8 a.

The bristles of a first row and the bristles of the adjacent second rowmay be connected to a surface of the core that is not plane, e.g. asurface of the core that is circularly symmetrical. In a variant, thebristles may be connected to a common face of the core, e.g. asubstantially plane face.

The brush may also include only a single row per substantially-planeface of the core. In a variant, the brush includes only one first rowand one associated second row per substantially-plane face of the core.

In exemplary embodiments of the invention, when the brush is observedfrom the side, it is not possible to observe the cross-over between thebristles of three consecutive rows around the longitudinal axis of thecore, in particular when the bristles are sufficiently short orsufficiently close to the core.

FIG. 5A shows a configuration in which the bristles 21 and the bristles22 both of the first row 11 and of the adjacent second row 12 slopelocally relative to the core 10, i.e. they are not perpendicular to thecore, e.g. with all of the bristles 21 of the first row oriented towardsone longitudinal end of the brush (e.g. the end 8 a), and all of thebristles of the other row oriented towards the opposite longitudinal endof the brush (e.g. the end 8 b).

The acute angle defined by each of the bristles of the first row withthe normal to the longitudinal axis may be the same as the angle of eachof the bristles of the second row.

FIG. 5B shows the possibility of the bristles of one row crossing atleast two bristles of another row. It is also possible for each bristleof any one of the rows to cross at least two bristles of another row.

FIG. 5C shows the possibility of at least a fraction of the bristles ofone of the rows, e.g. a first row 11, sloping locally relative to thecore in a manner that varies along the row, e.g. with differentrespective angles and β_(i), β_(i+1), and β_(i+2) for three consecutivebristles 21 of the first row 11, along the core from one longitudinalend to the opposite longitudinal end.

FIG. 5D shows the possibility of having orientations that vary both forthe bristles 21 of the first row 11, and for the bristles 22 of theadjacent second row 12.

For example, it is possible to have bristles 21 of the first row 11 thatslope relative to the core in a manner that varies in one direction fromthe distal end of the applicator member towards the proximal end, andbristles of the adjacent other row 12 that slope in a manner that variesin the opposite direction, along the applicator member from the distalend towards the proximal end.

In FIG. 5E, it can be seen that within a first row 11, it is possible tohave a fraction 11 _(A) of the bristles that extend towards alongitudinal end of the core, e.g. the adjacent longitudinal end, andanother fraction 11 _(B) that extends towards the opposite longitudinalend.

FIG. 5F shows a configuration in which the first row presents bristles21 that are disposed in a fan configuration, i.e. with an orientationthat varies along the longitudinal axis of the first row, e.g. the slopechanging progressively from the end bristles that are more prone alongthe core, to the bristles towards the middle of the row that are moreupstanding on the core.

By way of example, the orientation of the bristles passes from anorientation towards the distal end of the brush, to an orientationtowards the proximal end of the brush.

As shown, the second row may comprise bristles 22 that are perpendicularto the core, and some of them, and preferably the majority of them, oreven all of them, cross the bristles 21 of the first row, as shown.

FIGS. 6A and 6B show the possibility of two crossing bristles 21 and 22having a cross-over point C that is situated at a point that is higheror lower above the core, e.g. at a visible distance h from the core thatlies in the range 0.5 mm to 4 mm. For example, it is possible to have across-over point C that is situated in the first half of the projectedimages of the bristles, starting from their free ends.

The angle γ formed by the cross-over between the projected images of thebristles may be equal to 90°, or it may be different from 90°, dependingon circumstances. The angle may vary along the brush or it may beconstant along said brush. Where appropriate, the projected images ofthe crossing bristles may be symmetrical about a plane of symmetry Sthat is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the core, for example.

Each bristle 21 or 22 may present various shapes in cross-section. Byway of example, each bristle 21 or 22 may have a longitudinal axis thatis rectilinear, and may have a cross-section chat generally decreasesfrom the base towards the free end.

In cross-section, each bristle 21 or 22 may present a section that iscircular, as shown in FIG. 7A, or that is non-circular. By way ofexamples of non-circular sections, FIG. 7B shows a square cross-section,FIG. 7C shows a triangular cross-section, and FIG. 7D shows asemi-circular cross-section. The general shape of the bristle may becone shaped or pyramid shaped, having four faces or having three faces,the edges being represented by dashes in FIGS. 7B and 7C.

The applicator member 8 may have an envelope surface E, as defined bythe free ends of the bristles 21 and 22, that has a shape that varies.

In general, in longitudinal section, the envelope surface E may presentopposite sides that are rectilinear or curved, the core possibly beingrectilinear or curved.

In cross-section, the envelope surface E may have a shape that iscircular, as shown in FIG. 8A, or non-circular, e.g. polygonal, inparticular triangular, as shown in FIG. 8B, flat, e.g. lens-shaped oroval, as shown in FIG. 8C. In cross-section, the envelope surface E maydefine at least one recess, e.g. two opposite recesses, as shown in FIG.8D.

The envelope surface E may present a cross-section in the shape of abow-tie, as shown in FIG. 8E, i.e. with two diametrically-opposite zonesZ₁ and Z₂ that do not have bristles, e.g. of angular extent δ around thelongitudinal axis X of the brush, the angular extent δ being greaterthan or equal to 60°, greater than or equal to 90°, or greater than orequal to 120°, for example. The angular extent δ may also be less thanor equal to 180°, better less than or equal to 150°, or even less thanor equal to 120°, or 90°.

The angular distances of the zones Z₁ and Z₂ may be equal, as shown, orthey may be different.

The envelope surface E may present a shape that is generally circularlysymmetrical, e.g. a shape that is circularly cylindrical, over afraction of its length, as shown in FIG. 9A.

The cross-section of the envelope surface E may have a greatesttransverse dimension that varies, e.g. that passes through one minimumand through two maximums, as shown in FIG. 9B. The envelope surface Ethen presents the general shape of a peanut.

FIG. 9C shows an envelope surface E having a cross-section thatincreases from the stem 7, passes through a maximum, and decreasestowards the distal end 8 a of the brush 8.

In FIG. 9D, the envelope surface E presents a shape that is generallycone-shaped over at least a fraction of its length, converging towardsthe distal end 8 a of the brush 8.

The first and second rows, having bristles that cross when observed inorthogonal projection, may be situated on one side only of the brush 8,e.g. the top half of said brush, as shown in FIG. 10.

On its bottom side, the brush 8 may include one or more rows 40 ofbristles 41 that are parallel to one another and that do not cross, forexample.

The first and second rows may extend along respective parallel planes P₁and P₂, as shown in FIG. 11.

A first row 11 of bristles may comprise a succession of bristles 21 aand 21 b that are disposed in a staggered configuration, as shown inFIG. 12. An adjacent second row of bristles 12 may comprise bristles 22a and 22 b that also extend in a staggered configuration. In theembodiment in FIGS. 12 and 13, it is possible to see the crossingbetween the bristles 21 a and 21 b of the first row 11, extending from aface 10 a of the support 10, with the bristles 22 a and 22 b, extendingfrom an adjacent face 10 b of the support.

The core 10 may be molded with an endpiece for mounting on the stem.

The bristles of the rows 11 and 12 may be made by molding integrallywith an applicator portion 50 that is engaged on a core 51 so as to formthe brush 8, for example, the assembly being fastened to the stem 7 bystamping said stem, as shown in FIG. 14.

Alternatively, the rows 11 and 12 may form part of an applicator portion60 that is mounted on a support 61 that presents a holding head 62 forholding the applicator portion 60 on the support 61, for example. Theapplicator portion may be retained between the head 62 and the stem 7 bythe support 61 that is fastened in the stem 7 by stamping said stem, forexample, or it is fastened in some other way.

Were appropriate, the core 10 may be made with a wide head 70, as shownin FIG. 16.

The applicator member 8 may be carried by the stem 7 that is connectedto the handle 5 that is also used to close the container, as shown inFIG. 1.

In a variant, as shown in FIG. 17, the brush 8 may be carried by a stem7 that is secured to a mechanism that makes it possible to retract theapplicator member 8 into the container, the mechanism including anactuator member 80 that projects beyond the body of the container at oneend, the other end of the body of the container being provided with anopening that makes it possible to extend the brush 8. The mechanism mayinclude a resilient return member, not shown, that makes it possible toreturn the brush 8 into the container automatically.

The bristles 21 or 22 may be made by molding through a perforated wall180 of the core 10, as shown in FIG. 18.

The bristles 21 or 22 may extend along a helical path, as shown in FIG.19.

FIG. 20 shows two double rows 11 and 12, the first row 11 comprisingbristles 21 g and 21 h that cross when the row is observed in adirection that is perpendicular to its longitudinal axis, and the secondrow 12 comprising bristles 22 g and 22 h that also cross when the row isobserved in a direction that is perpendicular to its longitudinal axis.

Bristles of the first double row 11 may cross bristles of the seconddouble row 12 when the rows are observed perpendicularly to theirlongitudinal axes that may be parallel, as shown, or that may form asmall angle between them in a variant that is not shown.

FIG. 21 shows the possibility of the bristles 21 of the first row 11having bases that are in alignment with the bristles 22 of the secondrow 12, the bases being in alignment along a longitudinal axis K of therow.

A bristle 21 of the first row 11 may cross a bristle 22 of the secondrow 12 as a result of the bristles being oriented both with alongitudinal slope relative to the axis K, and with a slope in a planethat is perpendicular to the axis K.

For example, a bristle 21 is oriented towards the proximal end andtowards the right when the row 11 is observed along the longitudinalaxis K, and the adjacent bristle 22 of the second row 12 is orientedtowards the proximal end of the brush and towards the left when lookingalong the same longitudinal axis K and from the same side.

Thus, when looking along the bristles 21 and 22 perpendicularly to theaxis K, the bristles 21 and 22 may cross.

The bristles of the first and/or second rows may be double. By way ofexample, FIG. 22 shows a succession of double bristles, each comprisingtwo spikes 29 that extend in different directions, as can be seen inFIG. 23, when the bristle is observed in a plane that is perpendicularto the longitudinal axis K of the row.

The bases of the spikes may be touching.

The spikes may extend longitudinally in a common plane that isperpendicular to the axis K, or in longitudinal directions that are notcoplanar, e.g. one spike that extends towards the proximal end of thebrush and another spike that extends towards the distal end of thebrush, one spike extending towards the left and the other towards theright when the double bristle is observed along the axis of the row.

By way of example, the angle w between the long directions is greaterthan or equal to 5°, or even greater than or equal to 10°, or 30°.

In general, a single bristle, e.g. 21 or 22, may be oriented, relativeto the core, locally, along a radius R that passes through thelongitudinal axis of the core, as shown in FIG. 24A, while beingperpendicular to the core locally.

As shown in FIG. 24B, a bristle 21 or 22 may also be orientedperpendicularly to the core, but may form an angle with the radius thatcomes from the center of the core, and that passes through the center ofthe base, as shown in FIG. 24B.

As shown in FIG. 24C, a bristle 21 or 22 may also extend longitudinallyin a direction that coincides with the radius that passes through thebase, but that forms a non-zero angle locally with the normal to thecore.

The brushes of the invention are made out of, for example, thermoplasticmaterial, or thermoplastic elastomer, e.g. polyoxymethylene (POM);polyamide (PA); polyethylene terephthalate (PET); polystyrene (PS);polybutyl terephthalate (PBT); polyvinyl chloride (PVC); polyurethane(PU); ethyl vinyl acetate (EVA); PEBAX®; HYTREL®; SANTOPRENE®;styrene-ethylene-styrene (SEBS); styrene-isoprene-styrene silicone;polynorbornene; butyl rubber; latex; etc. . . . , this list not beinglimiting.

The invention is not limited to the embodiments described above. Thecharacteristics of the various embodiments described above may becombined together within variants that are not shown. A row may be asingle row or a multiple row, e.g. a double row, as shown in FIG. 12.

The ends of the bristles may include beads or forks that are made bymolding, or that are obtained by treating the applicator member after ithas been unmolded. The bristles may include a slipping agent and/or abactericidal agent.

The bristles may present magnetic properties. The bristles may beflocked. The bristles may present surface irregularities, e.g.roughness.

The bristles may have a longitudinal axis that is rectilinear, curved,or undulating.

The expression “comprising a” should be understood as being synonymouswith “comprising at least one” unless specified to the contrary.

1-15. (canceled)
 16. A brush for applying a composition to eyelashes oreyebrows, the brush comprising: a core that is made by molding and thatextends along a longitudinal axis; and a plurality of rows of bristlesthat are also made by molding, including bases that are distributed overa periphery of the core, the bristles being disposed so that thereexists at least one projection axis orthogonal to the longitudinal axisof the core for which the projected images of the bristles of a firstrow cross the projected images of the bristles of a second row.
 17. Abrush according to claim 16, at least a fraction of the bristles of thefirst row presenting slopes relative to the longitudinal axis of thecore that vary along the first row.
 18. A brush according to claim 16,at least a fraction of the bristles of the first row presenting a sloperelative to the longitudinal axis of the core that does not vary alongthe first row.
 19. A brush according to claim 16, at least a fraction ofthe bristles of the second row presenting slopes relative to thelongitudinal axis of the core that vary along the second row.
 20. Abrush according to claim 16, at least a fraction of the bristles of thesecond row presenting a slope relative to the longitudinal axis of thecore that does not vary along the second row.
 21. A brush according toclaim 16, at least a fraction of the bristles of the first or second rowbeing perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the core.
 22. A brushaccording to claim 16, at least a fraction of the bristles of the firstand second rows presenting a slope relative to the normal to thelongitudinal axis of the core that is greater than 20°.
 23. A brushaccording to claim 16, the projected image of at least one bristle ofthe first row crossing the projected image of two bristles of the secondrow.
 24. A brush according to claim 16, the projected image of at leastone bristle of the first row being disposed symmetrically relative tothe projected image of a bristle of the second row that it crosses,about a plane of symmetry that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axisof the core.
 25. A brush according to claim 16, the rows extendingparallel to the longitudinal axis of the core, or following a helicalpath along the longitudinal axis of the core.
 26. A brush according toclaim 16, the bristles of the first and second rows extending parallelto a radial plane.
 27. A brush according to claim 16, the bristles ofthe first and second rows extending along respective planes that form anangle between them.
 28. A brush according to claim 16, at least afraction of the bristles of the first row having an orientation towardsone of distal and proximal ends of the applicator member, and at least afraction of the bristles of the second row having an orientation towardsthe other of the distal and proximal ends.
 29. A brush according toclaim 16, the projected image of at least one bristle of the first rowcrossing the projected image of a bristle of the second row at acrossing point that is situated in a top half of the bristles.
 30. Abrush according to claim 16, any one of the rows of bristles of thebrush constituting a first row for which there exists at least oneprojection axis orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the core forwhich the projected images of the bristles of the first row cross withthe projected images of the bristles of another row.